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"Lack of Communication"

About: Austin Hospital

(as a carer),

My spouse and I live in a regional area 3 hrs from the Austin. My spouse has been treated since the start of COVID by Radiation Oncology for nasopharyngeal cancer. There was large radiation doses due to the stage of the cancer and at this stage, the cancer is under control. The treatment of my spouse and myself was wonderful by the Rad Onc team, constantly communicating and assisting during our stay.

Since that time my spouse has developed radiation related problems including Alzheimer's plus an ongoing issue with seizures. They have had their meds changed on numerous occasions as they were during the most recent visit. I believe my spouse has something going on within their system and is getting weaker every day.

They had come down for investigations in an attempt to narrow down what is causing their declining health. After a mix up with my spouse's travel and a seizure in ED, they ended up in a ward. I spoke to the OT who was great, helpful and thorough, I also spoke to the social worker. My spouse should have stayed over Easter to carry out all tests to find out what is going on. They were supposed to see Neurology, Cardiology and ENT during their stay. They were suddenly sent home on Good Friday, I was shocked and saddened. At no time have any of the doctors from the above areas bothered to ring me. I am my spouse's full time carer and act on their behalf. I feel talking to my spouse is both futile and a waste of time as they remember little, and is likely to make things up as they remember them. Has my spouse seen these people, are there results from any investigations done? Is there going to be follow-up, their epilepsy meds were changed. My spouse had two seizures since those changes, they fell, injured themselves and has slept much of the past few days.

I am hugely disappointed, I really thought we would get some answers but have not heard a thing. This is such an unusual situation within our experience at the Austin, my spouse arrived home very dehydrated, completely constipated and tired beyond normal. Someone needs to ring me, if there is a supervising doctor they need to take that time. I believe my spouse is worse than ever, I have no idea who I can ring, where to turn now.

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Responses

Response from Care Opinion Australia 2 years ago
Submitted on 26/04/2022 at 12:01 PM
Published on Care Opinion at 12:02 PM


This response has been published by Care Opinion Australia on behalf of Austin Health

Dear millimeterqf94,

Thank you for taking the time to provide this feedback to Care Opinion. It is disappointing to read about your and your spouse’s recent experience at Austin Health and we apologise for any distress caused by these events.

We are keen to follow up your concerns with relevant staff. To help us do this, can you please contact the Patient Experience Team by emailing feedback@austin.org.au or calling 9496 3566 and providing your and your spouse’s contact details.

We look forward to hearing from you.

Kind regards

Cheree Porter

Associate Director Patient Experience

Austin Health

  • {{helpful}} {{helpful == 1 ? "person thinks" : "people think"}} this response is helpful

Update posted by millimeterqf94 (a carer)

Thanks for the feedback being posted, I think it's important. As a side note, my spouse became ill on return and thankfully we worked out they were having an allergic reaction to the newest of their epilepsy medications and were able to stop the problem.

Regards.

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